Is it possible to simply open up existing default DoD:S maps, edit them and then export them as .bsp again?

Perhaps with hammer? Source SDK? GMOD?


Would this be very hard to do for beginner mappers?

Originally posted by Pan


Would this be very hard to do for beginner mappers?

Yes you can do it with hammer but you would also have to recompile the map which takes hours and hours even on a top notch computer. Other than dod_flash (which is provided as a sample map) you would have to decompile the maps which cause way more problems than its worth. Your better off rebuilding the maps from scratch.

Its also no easy task for a beginner to change an already built map. All the optimization would get screwed up and just working on it with the lines going all over the grid would be near impossible for someone thats not used to working like that.

What about with gmod? (I know it's not the best forum to ask about gmod, but I thought another mapper might know something)..

You can open up the DoD:S maps and add objects etc.


Can you, say, load up a default map, add a few things here and there, then export/save that to be used?

I have no idea. I would think the map would only work in Gmod if you did. Thats a question you would want to take to their forums.

Originally posted by MeleeMe!
Thats a question you would want to take to their forums.

I will see what I can find out and post back here in case someone ever asks the same thing.

This was the most useful answer I received:

The map can be exported via gmod9 but the feature is disabled in gmod10. You need to have hammer open with the .vmf open for it to export correctly.


I will have to check into this, as I am not familiar with hammer.

Would anyone already know if this would be correct and possible?

..or used this method before successfully?

well what kind of modifications would you like to make? if not brush-based, then you may not need to decompile/recompile the map. you can insert/remove/modify certain point entities in an already compiled map. I've even seen people add props into maps like that, but I've not been able to do that.

Originally posted by the_irate_pirate
well what kind of modifications would you like to make? if not brush-based, then you may not need to decompile/recompile the map. you can insert/remove/modify certain point entities in an already compiled map. I've even seen people add props into maps like that, but I've not been able to do that.


Mainly all I'm wanting to do is modify the default maps with a few props/objects (because I wouldn't know how to map a ladder or change the buildings/walls etc. in the maps - so a pile of crates = makeshift ladder) and perhaps just add a few simple changes here and there.

usually gmod maps are simple maps , not as complicated as dod maps , as its a sandbox game, you would be much better off just making the maps from scratch.

decompiling a bsp, as said gives u a file with bad vertexes and probably errors , ull have a hard time actually fixing what a decompiler gave you.

Well, you can open DoD:S maps inside gmod.

I'm wondering whether I can just 'spawn' objects and save the map again as a .bsp and use it on a server.

thats different tho how gmod works, well u seem you want a very easy path to do this...

so ill say the answer should be no

: /

well you can open a .bsp with a text editor (or better yet EntSpy) and make changes to values of certain entities. as I said, I haven't figured out just yet how to add props into an already compiled map. it's been done with mani mod:
http://www.chatbear.com/unity2/4989/170,1168500965,7985/1024519?v=flatol

I do know that you can decompile a map and recompile only the BSP stage with "only entities". this way no brushwork is changed and only point entities are added/modified. however, I've had mixed results with this technique. certainly more difficult than it was in hl1 era.

you may also want to look into .ent files.. not gonna say anything else.

It's turning out to be quite a process to make simple changes to a map.


Well, I guess I have to start somewhere :D

you know what.. I have crazy ideas.. which are not practical. here's what you need to do (this is the simple and the practical way):
1)download vmex: http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/vmex.html
2)decompile map
3)make modifications from within hammer
4)recompile

in Source/hl2 after decompiling you get a 99% accurate .vmf, the only things that don't show up are areaportals and occluders. and you probably don't know what they are..

so learn a bit about mapping and have fun modding!

Originally posted by the_irate_pirate
you know what.. I have crazy ideas.. which are not practical. here's what you need to do (this is the simple and the practical way):
1)download vmex: http://www.geocities.com/cofrdrbob/vmex.html
2)decompile map
3)make modifications from within hammer
4)recompile

in Source/hl2 after decompiling you get a 99% accurate .vmf, the only things that don't show up are areaportals and occluders. and you probably don't know what they are..

so learn a bit about mapping and have fun modding!


Thanks. I will utilise these boards and the knowledge of the community and see what I can come up with.


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